Head coach Jean-François Houle of the Laval Rockets and the Montreal Canadiens organization have mutually decided to part ways, just weeks after Houle agreed to a new contract. Houle will take over as head coach of Clarkson University’s men’s hockey team.
Houle, a Clarkson University alumnus, was unable to turn down the chance to head a team that he had previously played for.
We express our gratitude to Jean-François for his invaluable contribution to the growth of our team’s culture and that of our players. His commitment to the squad and his experience as head coach made the Rockets extremely competitive during his three years in charge, setting up numerous players for NHL careers. “We extend our warmest wishes for success in this next phase of his career,” stated John Sedgwick, general manager of the Laval Rocket.
Since their son Noah is about to start his second year at SUNY Potsdam, where he plays men’s lacrosse, Houle and his wife Mia have been visiting Potsdam, the home of Clarkson University, for the past year. Their seven-year-old daughter Lucy joins their eldest daughter Emma, who recently received her degree from UC Santa Cruz. Houle’s family is now closer to him thanks to this transfer. The position at Clarkson became available last week when Casey Jones, their former coach, accepted a position at Cornell.
After Kelly Buchberger left the Rocket to take over an AJHL team, they had a vacancy on their coaching staff that will probably be filled by the person they select to be their next head coach.
It will be interesting to watch how quickly this post is filled because the team’s development camp is typically run by the AHL coaching staff and takes place soon after the draft.
After Joël Bouchard and Sylvain Lefebvre, this will be the Rockets’ third coaching change since moving to Laval.
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